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Valproate-induced hair loss: What to tell patients
Ms. B, age 29, has bipolar disorder that is stabilized by valproate, 1,250 mg/d. After 1 month of treatment, she shows scalp hair loss. She takes no other medications and is distressed because she had never experienced such copious hair loss. Ms. B’s blood valproate level is at a therapeutic level. She wants to know if the hair loss will be permanent and what she can do to stop it.
Up to 28% of patients who take valproate suffer temporary alopecia.1,2 In most cases, hair loss is associated with long-term valproate pharmacotherapy. Hair loss appears to be dose-related2 and may be more common in women than in men. Usually patients will report gradual but steady hair loss, commonly beginning 2 to 6 months after initiating treatment.3 Complete hair loss is rare and new hair growth typically begins approximately 2 to 3 months after alopecia onset.
Valproate can cause telogen effluvium, a non-scarring form of alopecia that occurs by precipitating the follicles into a premature rest phase. Other medications that may cause this type of hair loss include desipramine, imipramine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, dopaminergics, anticoagulants, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and cimetidine, as well as withdrawal from minoxidil, oral contraceptives, sulfasalazine, and antithyroid medicines.3
Advising patients
In addition to reducing a patient’s valproate dosage when clinically feasible, you can suggest pharmacologic and lifestyle changes to help patients minimize hair loss:
1. Recommend a biotin supplement. Valproate can cause biotin deficiency and may lead to low serum and liver tissue biotinidase enzyme4; a major clinical manifestation of biotin deficiency is alopecia.
2. Tell patients to avoid taking valproate during meals to prevent its chelating effect on food. The chelating effect of valproate makes metals that facilitate hair growth, such as zinc and selenium, unavailable for absorption.5
3. Recommend zinc and selenium supplements, which can help stop further hair loss and regenerate hair.5
4. Suggest practical advice for hair care, including using soft brushes and mild shampoos and avoiding dyes, heated curlers, and hair dryers.
5. Consider minoxidil therapy. However, this is an expensive option and there are no cases documenting its use for alopecia caused by mood stabilizers.
Disclosure
The authors report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
1. Castro-Gago M, Gómez-Lado C, Eirís-Puñal J, et al. Serum biotinidase activity in children treated with valproic acid and carbamazepine. J Child Neurol. 2010;25(1):32-35.
2. Patrizi A, Savoia F, Negosanti F, et al. Telogen effluvium caused by magnesium valproate and lamotrigine. Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(1):77-78.
3. Mercke Y, Sheng H, Khan T, et al. Hair loss in psychopharmacology. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2000;12(1):35-42.
4. Yilmaz Y, Tasdemir HA, Paksu MS. The influence of valproic acid treatment on hair and serum zinc levels and serum biotinidase activity. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2009;13(5):439-443.
4. Fatemi SH, Calabrese JR. Treatment of valproate-induced alopecia. Ann Pharmacother. 1995;29(12):1302.-
Ms. B, age 29, has bipolar disorder that is stabilized by valproate, 1,250 mg/d. After 1 month of treatment, she shows scalp hair loss. She takes no other medications and is distressed because she had never experienced such copious hair loss. Ms. B’s blood valproate level is at a therapeutic level. She wants to know if the hair loss will be permanent and what she can do to stop it.
Up to 28% of patients who take valproate suffer temporary alopecia.1,2 In most cases, hair loss is associated with long-term valproate pharmacotherapy. Hair loss appears to be dose-related2 and may be more common in women than in men. Usually patients will report gradual but steady hair loss, commonly beginning 2 to 6 months after initiating treatment.3 Complete hair loss is rare and new hair growth typically begins approximately 2 to 3 months after alopecia onset.
Valproate can cause telogen effluvium, a non-scarring form of alopecia that occurs by precipitating the follicles into a premature rest phase. Other medications that may cause this type of hair loss include desipramine, imipramine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, dopaminergics, anticoagulants, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and cimetidine, as well as withdrawal from minoxidil, oral contraceptives, sulfasalazine, and antithyroid medicines.3
Advising patients
In addition to reducing a patient’s valproate dosage when clinically feasible, you can suggest pharmacologic and lifestyle changes to help patients minimize hair loss:
1. Recommend a biotin supplement. Valproate can cause biotin deficiency and may lead to low serum and liver tissue biotinidase enzyme4; a major clinical manifestation of biotin deficiency is alopecia.
2. Tell patients to avoid taking valproate during meals to prevent its chelating effect on food. The chelating effect of valproate makes metals that facilitate hair growth, such as zinc and selenium, unavailable for absorption.5
3. Recommend zinc and selenium supplements, which can help stop further hair loss and regenerate hair.5
4. Suggest practical advice for hair care, including using soft brushes and mild shampoos and avoiding dyes, heated curlers, and hair dryers.
5. Consider minoxidil therapy. However, this is an expensive option and there are no cases documenting its use for alopecia caused by mood stabilizers.
Disclosure
The authors report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
Ms. B, age 29, has bipolar disorder that is stabilized by valproate, 1,250 mg/d. After 1 month of treatment, she shows scalp hair loss. She takes no other medications and is distressed because she had never experienced such copious hair loss. Ms. B’s blood valproate level is at a therapeutic level. She wants to know if the hair loss will be permanent and what she can do to stop it.
Up to 28% of patients who take valproate suffer temporary alopecia.1,2 In most cases, hair loss is associated with long-term valproate pharmacotherapy. Hair loss appears to be dose-related2 and may be more common in women than in men. Usually patients will report gradual but steady hair loss, commonly beginning 2 to 6 months after initiating treatment.3 Complete hair loss is rare and new hair growth typically begins approximately 2 to 3 months after alopecia onset.
Valproate can cause telogen effluvium, a non-scarring form of alopecia that occurs by precipitating the follicles into a premature rest phase. Other medications that may cause this type of hair loss include desipramine, imipramine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, dopaminergics, anticoagulants, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and cimetidine, as well as withdrawal from minoxidil, oral contraceptives, sulfasalazine, and antithyroid medicines.3
Advising patients
In addition to reducing a patient’s valproate dosage when clinically feasible, you can suggest pharmacologic and lifestyle changes to help patients minimize hair loss:
1. Recommend a biotin supplement. Valproate can cause biotin deficiency and may lead to low serum and liver tissue biotinidase enzyme4; a major clinical manifestation of biotin deficiency is alopecia.
2. Tell patients to avoid taking valproate during meals to prevent its chelating effect on food. The chelating effect of valproate makes metals that facilitate hair growth, such as zinc and selenium, unavailable for absorption.5
3. Recommend zinc and selenium supplements, which can help stop further hair loss and regenerate hair.5
4. Suggest practical advice for hair care, including using soft brushes and mild shampoos and avoiding dyes, heated curlers, and hair dryers.
5. Consider minoxidil therapy. However, this is an expensive option and there are no cases documenting its use for alopecia caused by mood stabilizers.
Disclosure
The authors report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
1. Castro-Gago M, Gómez-Lado C, Eirís-Puñal J, et al. Serum biotinidase activity in children treated with valproic acid and carbamazepine. J Child Neurol. 2010;25(1):32-35.
2. Patrizi A, Savoia F, Negosanti F, et al. Telogen effluvium caused by magnesium valproate and lamotrigine. Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(1):77-78.
3. Mercke Y, Sheng H, Khan T, et al. Hair loss in psychopharmacology. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2000;12(1):35-42.
4. Yilmaz Y, Tasdemir HA, Paksu MS. The influence of valproic acid treatment on hair and serum zinc levels and serum biotinidase activity. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2009;13(5):439-443.
4. Fatemi SH, Calabrese JR. Treatment of valproate-induced alopecia. Ann Pharmacother. 1995;29(12):1302.-
1. Castro-Gago M, Gómez-Lado C, Eirís-Puñal J, et al. Serum biotinidase activity in children treated with valproic acid and carbamazepine. J Child Neurol. 2010;25(1):32-35.
2. Patrizi A, Savoia F, Negosanti F, et al. Telogen effluvium caused by magnesium valproate and lamotrigine. Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(1):77-78.
3. Mercke Y, Sheng H, Khan T, et al. Hair loss in psychopharmacology. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2000;12(1):35-42.
4. Yilmaz Y, Tasdemir HA, Paksu MS. The influence of valproic acid treatment on hair and serum zinc levels and serum biotinidase activity. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2009;13(5):439-443.
4. Fatemi SH, Calabrese JR. Treatment of valproate-induced alopecia. Ann Pharmacother. 1995;29(12):1302.-
Do stimulants for ADHD increase the risk of substance use disorders?
Discuss this article at www.facebook.com/CurrentPsychiatry
Does prescribing stimulants to patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increase their risk of future substance abuse? Because ADHD is a common pediatric condition with symptoms that often persist into adulthood, and stimulants are an efficacious first-line therapy, this possible association is a concern for psychiatrists whether they treat children or adults.
Some researchers have expressed concerns that stimulant exposure could predispose patients to future substance abuse.1 Proponents of the biologic model of “kindling” hypothesize early exposure to stimulants could increase the risk of later substance use disorders (SUDs) by modifying or “priming” the brain, which then becomes more receptive to illicit drug exposure. Although there is some evidence that stimulant use does increase SUD risk, other evidence suggests stimulant use does not increase susceptibility to SUDs2,3 and some studies have suggested stimulant use in ADHD patients may protect against SUDs.4,5
This article reviews shared characteristics of ADHD and SUDs and the latest research on the association between the clinical use of stimulants and later development of SUDs. We also offer clinical recommendations for assessing and treating ADHD and comorbid SUD.
ADHD/SUD overlap
Compared with those without the disorder, patients with ADHD have a 6.2 times higher risk of developing an SUD.6 Individuals with ADHD experience an earlier age of onset and a longer duration of SUDs.7 Several retrospective and prospective studies reveal ADHD is a risk factor for SUDs.8 A longitudinal study that tracked teenage males with or without ADHD into young adulthood found SUDs were 4 times more common among those with ADHD.9 Up to 45% of adults with ADHD have a history of alcohol abuse or dependence, and up to 30% have a history of illegal drug abuse or dependence.10
Conversely, an estimated 35% to 71% of alcohol abusers and 15% to 25% of substance-dependent patients have ADHD.11 Adults with ADHD and comorbid SUD report earlier onset12 and greater severity13 of substance abuse than adults without ADHD. Patients with ADHD experience earlier onset and higher rates of tobacco smoking by mid-adolescence.14
Developmental psychopathology. Longitudinal studies have suggested certain psychopathologic characteristics of ADHD can predispose an individual to SUDs independent of stimulant exposure. For example, inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity predispose an individual to develop an SUD and also are core symptoms of ADHD.15 Another study found impulsivity, impersistence, and difficulty sitting still at age 3 predicted alcohol abuse at age 21.16 A different longitudinal study found novelty-seeking behavior (restlessness, running/jumping and not keeping still, being squirmy and fidgety) between age 6 to 10 predicted adolescent drug abuse and cigarette smoking.17 Poor response inhibition is a key characteristic of ADHD and has been linked to adolescent drinking.18
ADHD may be an independent risk factor for SUD because a common neurobiologic psychopathology may predispose an individual to develop both conditions. The dopamine system has been implicated in SUD, and dysfunction in the dopaminergic circuits—mostly in basal and frontal cortex with consequent defects in executive function and reward system—also has been found in ADHD.19 Cognitive dysfunction associated with ADHD may decrease a patient’s ability to estimate the negative consequences of substance abuse and to delay immediate gratification from drug or alcohol use.
ADHD patients are more vulnerable to SUDs if they have a comorbid condition, such as oppositional defiant disorder,13,20 bipolar disorder,20,21 or conduct disorder (CD).20,22 Patients with ADHD and comorbid CD are estimated to be 8.8 times more likely to have an SUD before age 18 compared with those with ADHD alone.23 Comorbid ADHD and CD may increase patients’ predisposition to develop dependence on highly addictive drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine.24 Impaired executive function, behavioral dyscontrol, impulsivity, and peer rejection are common in both ADHD and CD and may increase the risk of developing SUDs in individuals who have both conditions.25 Other risk factors for SUDs in patients with ADHD are listed in Table 1.26
Table 1
Risk factors for SUDs in patients with ADHD
| Presence of comorbid conditions (ie, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder) |
| White or Hispanic race |
| Partially treated or residual ADHD symptoms |
| Attending a competitive college program |
| College youth who had late onset of stimulant treatment |
| Member of a college sorority/fraternity |
| ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SUDs: substance use disorders Source: Reference 26 |
Stimulants’ affect on SUD risk
Increased risk. Limited studies suggest exposure to stimulants is a risk factor for developing SUDs. In a longitudinal study, Lambert et al27 followed 218 patients with ADHD and 182 without ADHD into adulthood and found a linear trend between duration of stimulant treatment and prevalence of cocaine dependence. ADHD patients exposed to stimulants for >1 year had the highest prevalence of cocaine abuse (27%), compared with untreated subjects (15%), or those treated with stimulants for <1 year (18%). However, the study did not control for comorbid contributing factors, such as CD.
No change. In a 10-year naturalistic study, Biederman et al28 followed 109 children with ADHD age 7 to 12 into adulthood. These children had a developmental reading disorder but no other psychiatric comorbidities. When comparing patients who were treated with methylphenidate (n = 43) with those who did not receive stimulants (n = 66), Bierderman et al found no significant difference between the 2 groups in the prevalence of SUD for any of the 7 drug categories studied.
Decreased risk. Two meta-analyses found children with ADHD who were treated with stimulants and followed until adolescence were 5.8 times less likely to develop SUDs compared with those who did not receive stimulants.28,29 This protective effect diminished when patients were followed into adulthood, but individuals treated with stimulants were 1.4 times less likely to develop SUDs than those not treated with stimulants.30 In a prospective case-control, 5-year follow-up study of 114 patients with ADHD treated with stimulants, Wilens et al31 found significant protective effects of stimulant treatment on the development of any SUD. They found no effects from time of onset or duration of stimulant therapy on subsequent risk of SUDs or cigarette smoking.
One possible explanation for stimulants’ apparently reduced protective effect among adults is for patients with ADHD, stimulant use might delay but not prevent SUDs. It also is likely that by adulthood, loss of parental supervision leads to poor medication adherence and increased susceptibility to SUDs.30
Other studies have found exposure to stimulants may protect against SUDs. Katusic et al23 reviewed medical records for documented SUDs in 295 adults with ADHD treated with stimulants and 84 who did not receive stimulants. They found 20% of patients who received stimulants had a documented SUD compared with 27% of those not treated with stimulants. Barkely et al32 followed 98 stimulant-treated and 21 untreated ADHD patients with a mean age of 15 and 21, respectively. They found stimulant treatment did not increase the risk for substance use or abuse in either group.
ADHD and stimulant abuse
The prevalence of stimulant misuse is as high as 9% in patients in grade school and high school and up to 35% in college-age individuals.33 ADHD patients who misuse stimulants (eg, escalating dose without authorization) or skip stimulant doses to use illicit drugs or alcohol are more likely to sell their medication.34 Immediate-release stimulant formulations are more liable to be abused than extended-release drugs because they achieve earlier peak drug concentrations and dopamine blockade, indicating rapid drug absorption and central drug activity. Close monitoring and use of extended-release formulations are useful deterrents against stimulant abuse.
Clinical recommendations
Detecting and treating SUDs in patients with ADHD can be challenging. Ideally, the best time to assess for ADHD symptoms is after a prolonged abstinence from any influencing substance. However, in most clinical situations this is not practical. A better approach is a longitudinal assessment for ADHD symptoms. Detecting evidence of early childhood onset of ADHD symptoms before the patient began using substances can be helpful in conducting a proper differential diagnosis. Assessing for symptoms of SUDs in early adolescence, along with serial assessment of ADHD symptoms, also can be helpful. Symptoms secondary to ADHD are likely to show a consistent pattern, whereas symptoms secondary to an SUD may be sporadic.
When assessing SUD risk, consider the patient’s clinical condition, history of comorbidities that suggest SUDs, and overall functional status. Collateral information about the patient’s behavior and substance abuse from family members is important. A history of CD, bipolar disorder, or antisocial personality disorder should raise concerns about potential future stimulant abuse or diversion. Close monitoring of patients suspected of having an SUD is essential to detect stimulant abuse or diversion, which often manifests as weight loss, requests for higher doses, requests to switch from long-acting or extended-release formulations to immediate-release formulations, and repeated and suspicious “lost prescriptions.” Close observation for other subtle signs—such as changes in personality or mood and unexplained accidents or injuries—also may be needed.35
Challenges of treating ADHD and co-occurring SUD include poor medication adherence, need for a higher therapeutic stimulant dose, and difficulty in assessing the therapeutic benefit of pharmacotherapy in the presence of an SUD.36 Treating ADHD comorbid with SUD requires a collaborative approach that involves a psychiatrist, family members, and a behavioral care provider in addition to frequent monitoring.34
In the absence of treatment guidelines for treating ADHD with comorbid SUDs, some clinicians prefer to stabilize the SUD before initiating stimulants. Others prefer to use nonstimulants (such as atomoxetine, guanfacine, bupropion, venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants, or modafinil) as a first-line treatment. However, nonstimulants have not demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of stimulants for ADHD.35
Table 2 offers clinical recommendations to minimize the risk of SUDs when treating ADHD patients with stimulants. Long-acting stimulant formulations are preferred over short-acting medications because they are less likely to be abused. Psychosocial interventions for treating ADHD and co-occurring SUD disorder include cognitive-behavioral therapy with emphasis on structured skills training and cognitive remediation.
Table 2
Minimizing SUD risk when treating ADHD patients with stimulants
| Assess symptom burden and psychosocial impairment |
| Establish a treatment contract and boundaries at the onset of treatment, including your right to terminate treatment if you suspect stimulant misuse |
| Assess for comorbidities that may increase your patient’s SUD risk (see Table 1) |
| Emphasize strict adherence to treatment recommendations |
| Involve the patient’s family as much as possible |
| Obtain collateral information on the patient’s history of ADHD-related symptoms from parents, siblings, significant others, etc. |
| Distinguish between patients with substance use vs an SUD or a history of an SUD |
| Obtain urine toxicology screening as appropriate |
| Carefully document dispensed stimulants– strength of medication, number of capsules, pills, patches, etc. Note date of dispensation and refill dates |
| Select delayed- or extended-release stimulant formulations |
| Consider prescribing nonstimulants if appropriate |
| Use rating scales such as Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale to monitor ADHD symptom severity and response to treatment |
| Schedule frequent, face-to-face clinical monitoring visits |
| ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SUD: substance use disorder |
Related Resource
- Faraone SV, Wilens T. Does stimulant treatment lead to substance use disorders? J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64(suppl 11):9-13.
- Upadhyaya HP, Rose K, Wang W, et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication and substance use patterns among adolescents and young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15:799-809.
- Mariani JJ, Levin FR. Treatment strategies for co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorders. Am J Addict. 2007;16(suppl 1):45-56.
Drug Brand Names
- Atomoxetine • Strattera
- Bupropion • Wellbutrin, Zyban
- Guanfacine • Tenex, Intuniv
- Methylphenidate • Ritalin
- Modafinil • Provigil
- Venlafaxine • Effexor
Disclosures
Dr. Shailesh Jain and Dr. Islam report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
Dr. Rakesh Jain has received research support from, is a consultant to, and/or is a speaker for Addrenex Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Pamlab, Pfizer Inc., Shionogi Inc., Shire, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals.
1. Lambert NM, McLeod M, Schenk S. Subjective responses to initial experience with cocaine: an exploration of the incentive-sensitization theory of drug abuse. Addiction. 2006;101(5):713-725.
2. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Moulton JL. Does stimulant treatment place children at risk for adult substance abuse? A controlled prospective follow-up study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2003;13(3):273-282.
3. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
4. Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Biederman J, et al. Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):179-185.
5. Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reduces risk for substance use disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;104(2):e20.-
6. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
7. Wilens TE. Impact of ADHD and its treatment on substance abuse in adults. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65(suppl 3):38-45.
8. Barkley RA, Fischer M, Smallish L, et al. Young adult follow-up of hyperactive children: antisocial activities and drug use. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2004;45(2):195-221.
9. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Bessler A, et al. Adult outcome of hyperactive boys. Educational achievement, occupational rank, and psychiatric status. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1993;50(7):565-576.
10. Wilens TE. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the substance use disorders: the nature of the relationship subtypes at risk, and treatment issues. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2004;27(2):283-301.
11. Wilens TE. AOD use and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(2):127-130.
12. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Abrantes AM, et al. Clinical characteristics of psychiatrically referred adolescent outpatients with substance use disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(7):941-947.
13. Schubiner H, Tzelepis A, Milberger S, et al. Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder among substance abusers. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000;61(4):244-251.
14. Lambert NM, Hartsough CS. Prospective study of tobacco smoking and substance dependencies among samples of ADHD and non-ADHD participants. J Learn Disabil. 1998;31(6):533-544.
15. Zucker RA. Alcohol use and the alcohol use disorders: a developmental biopsychosocial systems formulation covering the life course. In: Cicchetti D Cohen D, eds. Developmental psychopathology. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2006;620-656.
16. Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Newman DL, et al. Behavioral observations at age 3 years predict adult psychiatric disorders. Longitudinal evidence from a birth cohort. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996;53(11):1033-1039.
17. Màsse LC, Tremblay RE. Behavior of boys in kindergarten and the onset of substance use during adolescence. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1997;54(1):62-68.
18. Nigg JT, Wong MM, Martel MM, et al. Poor response inhibition as a predictor of problem drinking and illicit drug use in adolescents at risk for alcoholism and other substance use disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006;45(4):468-475.
19. Seidman LJ, Valera EM, Makris N. Structural brain imaging of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2005;57(11):1263-1272.
20. Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, et al. Is ADHD a risk factor for psychoactive substance use disorders? Findings from a four-year prospective follow-up study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(1):21-29.
21. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Millstein RB, et al. Risk for substance use disorders in youths with child- and adolescent-onset bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999;38(6):680-685.
22. Schubiner H, Saules KK, Arfken CL, et al. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of methylphenidate in the treatment of adult ADHD patients with comorbid cocaine dependence. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2002;10(3):286-294.
23. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
24. Flory K, Milich R, Lynam DR, et al. Relation between childhood disruptive behavior disorders and substance use and dependence symptoms in young adulthood: individuals with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder are uniquely at risk. Psychol Addict Behav. 2003;17(2):151-158.
25. Wilens TE. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the substance use disorders: the nature of the relationship subtypes at risk, and treatment issues. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2004;27(2):283-301.
26. Wilson JJ. ADHD and substance use disorders: developmental aspects and the impact of stimulant treatment. Am J Addict. 2007;16(suppl 1):5-11.
27. Lambert NM, Hartsough CS. Prospective study of tobacco smoking and substance dependencies among samples of ADHD and non-ADHD participants. J Learn Disabil. 1998;31(6):533-544.
28. Biederman J, Monuteaux MC, Spencer T, et al. Stimulant therapy and risk for subsequent substance use disorders in male adults with ADHD: a naturalistic controlled 10-year follow-up study. Am J Psychiatry. 2008;165(5):597-603.
29. Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Biederman J, et al. Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):179-185.
30. Faraone SV, Wilens TE. Effect of stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on later substance use and the potential for stimulant misuse abuse, and diversion. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;68(suppl 11):15-22.
31. Wilens TE, Adamson J, Monuteaux MC, et al. Effect of prior stimulant treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on subsequent risk for cigarette smoking and alcohol and drug use disorders in adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(10):916-921.
32. Barkley RA, Fischer M, Smallish L, et al. Does the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with stimulants contribute to drug use/abuse? A 13-year prospective study. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):97-109.
33. Wilens TE, Adler LA, Adams J, et al. Misuse and diversion of stimulants prescribed for ADHD: a systematic review of the literature. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;47(1):21-31.
34. Upadhyaya HP, Rose K, Wang W, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, medication treatment, and substance use patterns among adolescents and young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):799-809.
35. Kollins SH. A qualitative review of issues arising in the use of psycho-stimulant medications in patients with ADHD and co-morbid substance use disorders. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008;24(5):1345-1357.
36. Faraone SV, Biederman J, Wilens TE, et al. A naturalistic study of the effects of pharmacotherapy on substance use disorders among ADHD adults. Psychol Med. 2007;37(12):1743-1752.
Discuss this article at www.facebook.com/CurrentPsychiatry
Does prescribing stimulants to patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increase their risk of future substance abuse? Because ADHD is a common pediatric condition with symptoms that often persist into adulthood, and stimulants are an efficacious first-line therapy, this possible association is a concern for psychiatrists whether they treat children or adults.
Some researchers have expressed concerns that stimulant exposure could predispose patients to future substance abuse.1 Proponents of the biologic model of “kindling” hypothesize early exposure to stimulants could increase the risk of later substance use disorders (SUDs) by modifying or “priming” the brain, which then becomes more receptive to illicit drug exposure. Although there is some evidence that stimulant use does increase SUD risk, other evidence suggests stimulant use does not increase susceptibility to SUDs2,3 and some studies have suggested stimulant use in ADHD patients may protect against SUDs.4,5
This article reviews shared characteristics of ADHD and SUDs and the latest research on the association between the clinical use of stimulants and later development of SUDs. We also offer clinical recommendations for assessing and treating ADHD and comorbid SUD.
ADHD/SUD overlap
Compared with those without the disorder, patients with ADHD have a 6.2 times higher risk of developing an SUD.6 Individuals with ADHD experience an earlier age of onset and a longer duration of SUDs.7 Several retrospective and prospective studies reveal ADHD is a risk factor for SUDs.8 A longitudinal study that tracked teenage males with or without ADHD into young adulthood found SUDs were 4 times more common among those with ADHD.9 Up to 45% of adults with ADHD have a history of alcohol abuse or dependence, and up to 30% have a history of illegal drug abuse or dependence.10
Conversely, an estimated 35% to 71% of alcohol abusers and 15% to 25% of substance-dependent patients have ADHD.11 Adults with ADHD and comorbid SUD report earlier onset12 and greater severity13 of substance abuse than adults without ADHD. Patients with ADHD experience earlier onset and higher rates of tobacco smoking by mid-adolescence.14
Developmental psychopathology. Longitudinal studies have suggested certain psychopathologic characteristics of ADHD can predispose an individual to SUDs independent of stimulant exposure. For example, inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity predispose an individual to develop an SUD and also are core symptoms of ADHD.15 Another study found impulsivity, impersistence, and difficulty sitting still at age 3 predicted alcohol abuse at age 21.16 A different longitudinal study found novelty-seeking behavior (restlessness, running/jumping and not keeping still, being squirmy and fidgety) between age 6 to 10 predicted adolescent drug abuse and cigarette smoking.17 Poor response inhibition is a key characteristic of ADHD and has been linked to adolescent drinking.18
ADHD may be an independent risk factor for SUD because a common neurobiologic psychopathology may predispose an individual to develop both conditions. The dopamine system has been implicated in SUD, and dysfunction in the dopaminergic circuits—mostly in basal and frontal cortex with consequent defects in executive function and reward system—also has been found in ADHD.19 Cognitive dysfunction associated with ADHD may decrease a patient’s ability to estimate the negative consequences of substance abuse and to delay immediate gratification from drug or alcohol use.
ADHD patients are more vulnerable to SUDs if they have a comorbid condition, such as oppositional defiant disorder,13,20 bipolar disorder,20,21 or conduct disorder (CD).20,22 Patients with ADHD and comorbid CD are estimated to be 8.8 times more likely to have an SUD before age 18 compared with those with ADHD alone.23 Comorbid ADHD and CD may increase patients’ predisposition to develop dependence on highly addictive drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine.24 Impaired executive function, behavioral dyscontrol, impulsivity, and peer rejection are common in both ADHD and CD and may increase the risk of developing SUDs in individuals who have both conditions.25 Other risk factors for SUDs in patients with ADHD are listed in Table 1.26
Table 1
Risk factors for SUDs in patients with ADHD
| Presence of comorbid conditions (ie, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder) |
| White or Hispanic race |
| Partially treated or residual ADHD symptoms |
| Attending a competitive college program |
| College youth who had late onset of stimulant treatment |
| Member of a college sorority/fraternity |
| ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SUDs: substance use disorders Source: Reference 26 |
Stimulants’ affect on SUD risk
Increased risk. Limited studies suggest exposure to stimulants is a risk factor for developing SUDs. In a longitudinal study, Lambert et al27 followed 218 patients with ADHD and 182 without ADHD into adulthood and found a linear trend between duration of stimulant treatment and prevalence of cocaine dependence. ADHD patients exposed to stimulants for >1 year had the highest prevalence of cocaine abuse (27%), compared with untreated subjects (15%), or those treated with stimulants for <1 year (18%). However, the study did not control for comorbid contributing factors, such as CD.
No change. In a 10-year naturalistic study, Biederman et al28 followed 109 children with ADHD age 7 to 12 into adulthood. These children had a developmental reading disorder but no other psychiatric comorbidities. When comparing patients who were treated with methylphenidate (n = 43) with those who did not receive stimulants (n = 66), Bierderman et al found no significant difference between the 2 groups in the prevalence of SUD for any of the 7 drug categories studied.
Decreased risk. Two meta-analyses found children with ADHD who were treated with stimulants and followed until adolescence were 5.8 times less likely to develop SUDs compared with those who did not receive stimulants.28,29 This protective effect diminished when patients were followed into adulthood, but individuals treated with stimulants were 1.4 times less likely to develop SUDs than those not treated with stimulants.30 In a prospective case-control, 5-year follow-up study of 114 patients with ADHD treated with stimulants, Wilens et al31 found significant protective effects of stimulant treatment on the development of any SUD. They found no effects from time of onset or duration of stimulant therapy on subsequent risk of SUDs or cigarette smoking.
One possible explanation for stimulants’ apparently reduced protective effect among adults is for patients with ADHD, stimulant use might delay but not prevent SUDs. It also is likely that by adulthood, loss of parental supervision leads to poor medication adherence and increased susceptibility to SUDs.30
Other studies have found exposure to stimulants may protect against SUDs. Katusic et al23 reviewed medical records for documented SUDs in 295 adults with ADHD treated with stimulants and 84 who did not receive stimulants. They found 20% of patients who received stimulants had a documented SUD compared with 27% of those not treated with stimulants. Barkely et al32 followed 98 stimulant-treated and 21 untreated ADHD patients with a mean age of 15 and 21, respectively. They found stimulant treatment did not increase the risk for substance use or abuse in either group.
ADHD and stimulant abuse
The prevalence of stimulant misuse is as high as 9% in patients in grade school and high school and up to 35% in college-age individuals.33 ADHD patients who misuse stimulants (eg, escalating dose without authorization) or skip stimulant doses to use illicit drugs or alcohol are more likely to sell their medication.34 Immediate-release stimulant formulations are more liable to be abused than extended-release drugs because they achieve earlier peak drug concentrations and dopamine blockade, indicating rapid drug absorption and central drug activity. Close monitoring and use of extended-release formulations are useful deterrents against stimulant abuse.
Clinical recommendations
Detecting and treating SUDs in patients with ADHD can be challenging. Ideally, the best time to assess for ADHD symptoms is after a prolonged abstinence from any influencing substance. However, in most clinical situations this is not practical. A better approach is a longitudinal assessment for ADHD symptoms. Detecting evidence of early childhood onset of ADHD symptoms before the patient began using substances can be helpful in conducting a proper differential diagnosis. Assessing for symptoms of SUDs in early adolescence, along with serial assessment of ADHD symptoms, also can be helpful. Symptoms secondary to ADHD are likely to show a consistent pattern, whereas symptoms secondary to an SUD may be sporadic.
When assessing SUD risk, consider the patient’s clinical condition, history of comorbidities that suggest SUDs, and overall functional status. Collateral information about the patient’s behavior and substance abuse from family members is important. A history of CD, bipolar disorder, or antisocial personality disorder should raise concerns about potential future stimulant abuse or diversion. Close monitoring of patients suspected of having an SUD is essential to detect stimulant abuse or diversion, which often manifests as weight loss, requests for higher doses, requests to switch from long-acting or extended-release formulations to immediate-release formulations, and repeated and suspicious “lost prescriptions.” Close observation for other subtle signs—such as changes in personality or mood and unexplained accidents or injuries—also may be needed.35
Challenges of treating ADHD and co-occurring SUD include poor medication adherence, need for a higher therapeutic stimulant dose, and difficulty in assessing the therapeutic benefit of pharmacotherapy in the presence of an SUD.36 Treating ADHD comorbid with SUD requires a collaborative approach that involves a psychiatrist, family members, and a behavioral care provider in addition to frequent monitoring.34
In the absence of treatment guidelines for treating ADHD with comorbid SUDs, some clinicians prefer to stabilize the SUD before initiating stimulants. Others prefer to use nonstimulants (such as atomoxetine, guanfacine, bupropion, venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants, or modafinil) as a first-line treatment. However, nonstimulants have not demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of stimulants for ADHD.35
Table 2 offers clinical recommendations to minimize the risk of SUDs when treating ADHD patients with stimulants. Long-acting stimulant formulations are preferred over short-acting medications because they are less likely to be abused. Psychosocial interventions for treating ADHD and co-occurring SUD disorder include cognitive-behavioral therapy with emphasis on structured skills training and cognitive remediation.
Table 2
Minimizing SUD risk when treating ADHD patients with stimulants
| Assess symptom burden and psychosocial impairment |
| Establish a treatment contract and boundaries at the onset of treatment, including your right to terminate treatment if you suspect stimulant misuse |
| Assess for comorbidities that may increase your patient’s SUD risk (see Table 1) |
| Emphasize strict adherence to treatment recommendations |
| Involve the patient’s family as much as possible |
| Obtain collateral information on the patient’s history of ADHD-related symptoms from parents, siblings, significant others, etc. |
| Distinguish between patients with substance use vs an SUD or a history of an SUD |
| Obtain urine toxicology screening as appropriate |
| Carefully document dispensed stimulants– strength of medication, number of capsules, pills, patches, etc. Note date of dispensation and refill dates |
| Select delayed- or extended-release stimulant formulations |
| Consider prescribing nonstimulants if appropriate |
| Use rating scales such as Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale to monitor ADHD symptom severity and response to treatment |
| Schedule frequent, face-to-face clinical monitoring visits |
| ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SUD: substance use disorder |
Related Resource
- Faraone SV, Wilens T. Does stimulant treatment lead to substance use disorders? J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64(suppl 11):9-13.
- Upadhyaya HP, Rose K, Wang W, et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication and substance use patterns among adolescents and young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15:799-809.
- Mariani JJ, Levin FR. Treatment strategies for co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorders. Am J Addict. 2007;16(suppl 1):45-56.
Drug Brand Names
- Atomoxetine • Strattera
- Bupropion • Wellbutrin, Zyban
- Guanfacine • Tenex, Intuniv
- Methylphenidate • Ritalin
- Modafinil • Provigil
- Venlafaxine • Effexor
Disclosures
Dr. Shailesh Jain and Dr. Islam report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
Dr. Rakesh Jain has received research support from, is a consultant to, and/or is a speaker for Addrenex Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Pamlab, Pfizer Inc., Shionogi Inc., Shire, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals.
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Does prescribing stimulants to patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increase their risk of future substance abuse? Because ADHD is a common pediatric condition with symptoms that often persist into adulthood, and stimulants are an efficacious first-line therapy, this possible association is a concern for psychiatrists whether they treat children or adults.
Some researchers have expressed concerns that stimulant exposure could predispose patients to future substance abuse.1 Proponents of the biologic model of “kindling” hypothesize early exposure to stimulants could increase the risk of later substance use disorders (SUDs) by modifying or “priming” the brain, which then becomes more receptive to illicit drug exposure. Although there is some evidence that stimulant use does increase SUD risk, other evidence suggests stimulant use does not increase susceptibility to SUDs2,3 and some studies have suggested stimulant use in ADHD patients may protect against SUDs.4,5
This article reviews shared characteristics of ADHD and SUDs and the latest research on the association between the clinical use of stimulants and later development of SUDs. We also offer clinical recommendations for assessing and treating ADHD and comorbid SUD.
ADHD/SUD overlap
Compared with those without the disorder, patients with ADHD have a 6.2 times higher risk of developing an SUD.6 Individuals with ADHD experience an earlier age of onset and a longer duration of SUDs.7 Several retrospective and prospective studies reveal ADHD is a risk factor for SUDs.8 A longitudinal study that tracked teenage males with or without ADHD into young adulthood found SUDs were 4 times more common among those with ADHD.9 Up to 45% of adults with ADHD have a history of alcohol abuse or dependence, and up to 30% have a history of illegal drug abuse or dependence.10
Conversely, an estimated 35% to 71% of alcohol abusers and 15% to 25% of substance-dependent patients have ADHD.11 Adults with ADHD and comorbid SUD report earlier onset12 and greater severity13 of substance abuse than adults without ADHD. Patients with ADHD experience earlier onset and higher rates of tobacco smoking by mid-adolescence.14
Developmental psychopathology. Longitudinal studies have suggested certain psychopathologic characteristics of ADHD can predispose an individual to SUDs independent of stimulant exposure. For example, inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity predispose an individual to develop an SUD and also are core symptoms of ADHD.15 Another study found impulsivity, impersistence, and difficulty sitting still at age 3 predicted alcohol abuse at age 21.16 A different longitudinal study found novelty-seeking behavior (restlessness, running/jumping and not keeping still, being squirmy and fidgety) between age 6 to 10 predicted adolescent drug abuse and cigarette smoking.17 Poor response inhibition is a key characteristic of ADHD and has been linked to adolescent drinking.18
ADHD may be an independent risk factor for SUD because a common neurobiologic psychopathology may predispose an individual to develop both conditions. The dopamine system has been implicated in SUD, and dysfunction in the dopaminergic circuits—mostly in basal and frontal cortex with consequent defects in executive function and reward system—also has been found in ADHD.19 Cognitive dysfunction associated with ADHD may decrease a patient’s ability to estimate the negative consequences of substance abuse and to delay immediate gratification from drug or alcohol use.
ADHD patients are more vulnerable to SUDs if they have a comorbid condition, such as oppositional defiant disorder,13,20 bipolar disorder,20,21 or conduct disorder (CD).20,22 Patients with ADHD and comorbid CD are estimated to be 8.8 times more likely to have an SUD before age 18 compared with those with ADHD alone.23 Comorbid ADHD and CD may increase patients’ predisposition to develop dependence on highly addictive drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine.24 Impaired executive function, behavioral dyscontrol, impulsivity, and peer rejection are common in both ADHD and CD and may increase the risk of developing SUDs in individuals who have both conditions.25 Other risk factors for SUDs in patients with ADHD are listed in Table 1.26
Table 1
Risk factors for SUDs in patients with ADHD
| Presence of comorbid conditions (ie, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder) |
| White or Hispanic race |
| Partially treated or residual ADHD symptoms |
| Attending a competitive college program |
| College youth who had late onset of stimulant treatment |
| Member of a college sorority/fraternity |
| ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SUDs: substance use disorders Source: Reference 26 |
Stimulants’ affect on SUD risk
Increased risk. Limited studies suggest exposure to stimulants is a risk factor for developing SUDs. In a longitudinal study, Lambert et al27 followed 218 patients with ADHD and 182 without ADHD into adulthood and found a linear trend between duration of stimulant treatment and prevalence of cocaine dependence. ADHD patients exposed to stimulants for >1 year had the highest prevalence of cocaine abuse (27%), compared with untreated subjects (15%), or those treated with stimulants for <1 year (18%). However, the study did not control for comorbid contributing factors, such as CD.
No change. In a 10-year naturalistic study, Biederman et al28 followed 109 children with ADHD age 7 to 12 into adulthood. These children had a developmental reading disorder but no other psychiatric comorbidities. When comparing patients who were treated with methylphenidate (n = 43) with those who did not receive stimulants (n = 66), Bierderman et al found no significant difference between the 2 groups in the prevalence of SUD for any of the 7 drug categories studied.
Decreased risk. Two meta-analyses found children with ADHD who were treated with stimulants and followed until adolescence were 5.8 times less likely to develop SUDs compared with those who did not receive stimulants.28,29 This protective effect diminished when patients were followed into adulthood, but individuals treated with stimulants were 1.4 times less likely to develop SUDs than those not treated with stimulants.30 In a prospective case-control, 5-year follow-up study of 114 patients with ADHD treated with stimulants, Wilens et al31 found significant protective effects of stimulant treatment on the development of any SUD. They found no effects from time of onset or duration of stimulant therapy on subsequent risk of SUDs or cigarette smoking.
One possible explanation for stimulants’ apparently reduced protective effect among adults is for patients with ADHD, stimulant use might delay but not prevent SUDs. It also is likely that by adulthood, loss of parental supervision leads to poor medication adherence and increased susceptibility to SUDs.30
Other studies have found exposure to stimulants may protect against SUDs. Katusic et al23 reviewed medical records for documented SUDs in 295 adults with ADHD treated with stimulants and 84 who did not receive stimulants. They found 20% of patients who received stimulants had a documented SUD compared with 27% of those not treated with stimulants. Barkely et al32 followed 98 stimulant-treated and 21 untreated ADHD patients with a mean age of 15 and 21, respectively. They found stimulant treatment did not increase the risk for substance use or abuse in either group.
ADHD and stimulant abuse
The prevalence of stimulant misuse is as high as 9% in patients in grade school and high school and up to 35% in college-age individuals.33 ADHD patients who misuse stimulants (eg, escalating dose without authorization) or skip stimulant doses to use illicit drugs or alcohol are more likely to sell their medication.34 Immediate-release stimulant formulations are more liable to be abused than extended-release drugs because they achieve earlier peak drug concentrations and dopamine blockade, indicating rapid drug absorption and central drug activity. Close monitoring and use of extended-release formulations are useful deterrents against stimulant abuse.
Clinical recommendations
Detecting and treating SUDs in patients with ADHD can be challenging. Ideally, the best time to assess for ADHD symptoms is after a prolonged abstinence from any influencing substance. However, in most clinical situations this is not practical. A better approach is a longitudinal assessment for ADHD symptoms. Detecting evidence of early childhood onset of ADHD symptoms before the patient began using substances can be helpful in conducting a proper differential diagnosis. Assessing for symptoms of SUDs in early adolescence, along with serial assessment of ADHD symptoms, also can be helpful. Symptoms secondary to ADHD are likely to show a consistent pattern, whereas symptoms secondary to an SUD may be sporadic.
When assessing SUD risk, consider the patient’s clinical condition, history of comorbidities that suggest SUDs, and overall functional status. Collateral information about the patient’s behavior and substance abuse from family members is important. A history of CD, bipolar disorder, or antisocial personality disorder should raise concerns about potential future stimulant abuse or diversion. Close monitoring of patients suspected of having an SUD is essential to detect stimulant abuse or diversion, which often manifests as weight loss, requests for higher doses, requests to switch from long-acting or extended-release formulations to immediate-release formulations, and repeated and suspicious “lost prescriptions.” Close observation for other subtle signs—such as changes in personality or mood and unexplained accidents or injuries—also may be needed.35
Challenges of treating ADHD and co-occurring SUD include poor medication adherence, need for a higher therapeutic stimulant dose, and difficulty in assessing the therapeutic benefit of pharmacotherapy in the presence of an SUD.36 Treating ADHD comorbid with SUD requires a collaborative approach that involves a psychiatrist, family members, and a behavioral care provider in addition to frequent monitoring.34
In the absence of treatment guidelines for treating ADHD with comorbid SUDs, some clinicians prefer to stabilize the SUD before initiating stimulants. Others prefer to use nonstimulants (such as atomoxetine, guanfacine, bupropion, venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants, or modafinil) as a first-line treatment. However, nonstimulants have not demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of stimulants for ADHD.35
Table 2 offers clinical recommendations to minimize the risk of SUDs when treating ADHD patients with stimulants. Long-acting stimulant formulations are preferred over short-acting medications because they are less likely to be abused. Psychosocial interventions for treating ADHD and co-occurring SUD disorder include cognitive-behavioral therapy with emphasis on structured skills training and cognitive remediation.
Table 2
Minimizing SUD risk when treating ADHD patients with stimulants
| Assess symptom burden and psychosocial impairment |
| Establish a treatment contract and boundaries at the onset of treatment, including your right to terminate treatment if you suspect stimulant misuse |
| Assess for comorbidities that may increase your patient’s SUD risk (see Table 1) |
| Emphasize strict adherence to treatment recommendations |
| Involve the patient’s family as much as possible |
| Obtain collateral information on the patient’s history of ADHD-related symptoms from parents, siblings, significant others, etc. |
| Distinguish between patients with substance use vs an SUD or a history of an SUD |
| Obtain urine toxicology screening as appropriate |
| Carefully document dispensed stimulants– strength of medication, number of capsules, pills, patches, etc. Note date of dispensation and refill dates |
| Select delayed- or extended-release stimulant formulations |
| Consider prescribing nonstimulants if appropriate |
| Use rating scales such as Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale to monitor ADHD symptom severity and response to treatment |
| Schedule frequent, face-to-face clinical monitoring visits |
| ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SUD: substance use disorder |
Related Resource
- Faraone SV, Wilens T. Does stimulant treatment lead to substance use disorders? J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64(suppl 11):9-13.
- Upadhyaya HP, Rose K, Wang W, et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication and substance use patterns among adolescents and young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15:799-809.
- Mariani JJ, Levin FR. Treatment strategies for co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorders. Am J Addict. 2007;16(suppl 1):45-56.
Drug Brand Names
- Atomoxetine • Strattera
- Bupropion • Wellbutrin, Zyban
- Guanfacine • Tenex, Intuniv
- Methylphenidate • Ritalin
- Modafinil • Provigil
- Venlafaxine • Effexor
Disclosures
Dr. Shailesh Jain and Dr. Islam report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
Dr. Rakesh Jain has received research support from, is a consultant to, and/or is a speaker for Addrenex Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Pamlab, Pfizer Inc., Shionogi Inc., Shire, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals.
1. Lambert NM, McLeod M, Schenk S. Subjective responses to initial experience with cocaine: an exploration of the incentive-sensitization theory of drug abuse. Addiction. 2006;101(5):713-725.
2. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Moulton JL. Does stimulant treatment place children at risk for adult substance abuse? A controlled prospective follow-up study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2003;13(3):273-282.
3. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
4. Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Biederman J, et al. Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):179-185.
5. Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reduces risk for substance use disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;104(2):e20.-
6. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
7. Wilens TE. Impact of ADHD and its treatment on substance abuse in adults. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65(suppl 3):38-45.
8. Barkley RA, Fischer M, Smallish L, et al. Young adult follow-up of hyperactive children: antisocial activities and drug use. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2004;45(2):195-221.
9. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Bessler A, et al. Adult outcome of hyperactive boys. Educational achievement, occupational rank, and psychiatric status. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1993;50(7):565-576.
10. Wilens TE. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the substance use disorders: the nature of the relationship subtypes at risk, and treatment issues. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2004;27(2):283-301.
11. Wilens TE. AOD use and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(2):127-130.
12. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Abrantes AM, et al. Clinical characteristics of psychiatrically referred adolescent outpatients with substance use disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(7):941-947.
13. Schubiner H, Tzelepis A, Milberger S, et al. Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder among substance abusers. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000;61(4):244-251.
14. Lambert NM, Hartsough CS. Prospective study of tobacco smoking and substance dependencies among samples of ADHD and non-ADHD participants. J Learn Disabil. 1998;31(6):533-544.
15. Zucker RA. Alcohol use and the alcohol use disorders: a developmental biopsychosocial systems formulation covering the life course. In: Cicchetti D Cohen D, eds. Developmental psychopathology. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2006;620-656.
16. Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Newman DL, et al. Behavioral observations at age 3 years predict adult psychiatric disorders. Longitudinal evidence from a birth cohort. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996;53(11):1033-1039.
17. Màsse LC, Tremblay RE. Behavior of boys in kindergarten and the onset of substance use during adolescence. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1997;54(1):62-68.
18. Nigg JT, Wong MM, Martel MM, et al. Poor response inhibition as a predictor of problem drinking and illicit drug use in adolescents at risk for alcoholism and other substance use disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006;45(4):468-475.
19. Seidman LJ, Valera EM, Makris N. Structural brain imaging of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2005;57(11):1263-1272.
20. Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, et al. Is ADHD a risk factor for psychoactive substance use disorders? Findings from a four-year prospective follow-up study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(1):21-29.
21. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Millstein RB, et al. Risk for substance use disorders in youths with child- and adolescent-onset bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999;38(6):680-685.
22. Schubiner H, Saules KK, Arfken CL, et al. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of methylphenidate in the treatment of adult ADHD patients with comorbid cocaine dependence. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2002;10(3):286-294.
23. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
24. Flory K, Milich R, Lynam DR, et al. Relation between childhood disruptive behavior disorders and substance use and dependence symptoms in young adulthood: individuals with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder are uniquely at risk. Psychol Addict Behav. 2003;17(2):151-158.
25. Wilens TE. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the substance use disorders: the nature of the relationship subtypes at risk, and treatment issues. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2004;27(2):283-301.
26. Wilson JJ. ADHD and substance use disorders: developmental aspects and the impact of stimulant treatment. Am J Addict. 2007;16(suppl 1):5-11.
27. Lambert NM, Hartsough CS. Prospective study of tobacco smoking and substance dependencies among samples of ADHD and non-ADHD participants. J Learn Disabil. 1998;31(6):533-544.
28. Biederman J, Monuteaux MC, Spencer T, et al. Stimulant therapy and risk for subsequent substance use disorders in male adults with ADHD: a naturalistic controlled 10-year follow-up study. Am J Psychiatry. 2008;165(5):597-603.
29. Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Biederman J, et al. Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):179-185.
30. Faraone SV, Wilens TE. Effect of stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on later substance use and the potential for stimulant misuse abuse, and diversion. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;68(suppl 11):15-22.
31. Wilens TE, Adamson J, Monuteaux MC, et al. Effect of prior stimulant treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on subsequent risk for cigarette smoking and alcohol and drug use disorders in adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(10):916-921.
32. Barkley RA, Fischer M, Smallish L, et al. Does the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with stimulants contribute to drug use/abuse? A 13-year prospective study. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):97-109.
33. Wilens TE, Adler LA, Adams J, et al. Misuse and diversion of stimulants prescribed for ADHD: a systematic review of the literature. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;47(1):21-31.
34. Upadhyaya HP, Rose K, Wang W, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, medication treatment, and substance use patterns among adolescents and young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):799-809.
35. Kollins SH. A qualitative review of issues arising in the use of psycho-stimulant medications in patients with ADHD and co-morbid substance use disorders. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008;24(5):1345-1357.
36. Faraone SV, Biederman J, Wilens TE, et al. A naturalistic study of the effects of pharmacotherapy on substance use disorders among ADHD adults. Psychol Med. 2007;37(12):1743-1752.
1. Lambert NM, McLeod M, Schenk S. Subjective responses to initial experience with cocaine: an exploration of the incentive-sensitization theory of drug abuse. Addiction. 2006;101(5):713-725.
2. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Moulton JL. Does stimulant treatment place children at risk for adult substance abuse? A controlled prospective follow-up study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2003;13(3):273-282.
3. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
4. Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Biederman J, et al. Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):179-185.
5. Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reduces risk for substance use disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;104(2):e20.-
6. Katusic SK, Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, et al. Psychostimulant treatment and risk for substance abuse among young adults with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based, birth cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2005;15(5):764-776.
7. Wilens TE. Impact of ADHD and its treatment on substance abuse in adults. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65(suppl 3):38-45.
8. Barkley RA, Fischer M, Smallish L, et al. Young adult follow-up of hyperactive children: antisocial activities and drug use. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2004;45(2):195-221.
9. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Bessler A, et al. Adult outcome of hyperactive boys. Educational achievement, occupational rank, and psychiatric status. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1993;50(7):565-576.
10. Wilens TE. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the substance use disorders: the nature of the relationship subtypes at risk, and treatment issues. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2004;27(2):283-301.
11. Wilens TE. AOD use and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(2):127-130.
12. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Abrantes AM, et al. Clinical characteristics of psychiatrically referred adolescent outpatients with substance use disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(7):941-947.
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